Revolutionary government ba o transition council muna?

Bayan Muna coordinator for Northern Mindanao Nero Vallar yesterdayclarified that while former Defense Sec. Fortunato Abat's "declaration"on December 14 of a "transition government" was aimed at evicting Mrs.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo out of Malacañang, this was not the transitioncouncil proposed by the Left and other progressive groups.

"While Gen. Abat's intention to remove Gloria is the same as ours, thetransition council which we are pushing does not however border on theestablishment of a civilian-military junta," Vallar pointed out,stressing the civilian character of the transition government proposedby the Left and other opposition groups.

He said that the civilian transition council, which Bayan Muna supports,maintains the principle of proportionality in number; therefore,peasants and workers, who are in fact the real majority in society,would be allotted the biggest number representation, in terms of seats,in the council. This council, he added, may welcome representation onlyfrom retired members of the military or police. Vallar said that thesheer audacity of General Abat to declare himself "president" of a"government" was yet another testimony to the continuing disintegrationof the Arroyo regime. She, on the other hand, warned that the arrest ofAbat, further proof of Gloria's war against dissenters, would be met onmembers of the Left and other progressive and opposition groups.

The Bayan Muna spokesperson also opined that the escape of Oakwoodprotester Capt. Faeldon's was more proof of a fractious Armed Forces ofthe Philippines (AFP). "Capt. Faeldon's disgust for GMA tells of hisdisgust for the AFP, proving further that the military is at a quandaryover the credibility and legitimacy of the government they have sworn toserve," Vallar concluded. ###